Hi corin,
Not having heard the Luxman L3, it could be a lateral move. But, if your L3 is nearing the end of its OEM life and due for a recap, now would be a good time to step into something that has been restored, like the Marantz 2250.
The Marantz units from the mid to latter 70s sound great, are plentiful and relatively easy to work on...there's also a bit of wishful thinking happening on the auction site where estate sale bottom feeders find these units, and list them at ridiculous prices without any knowledge of what they're listing. So the vintage Marantz market is a little skewed.
I own a fully restored Marantz 2245 which had a production run during the time the 2250 was built (1975). The 2245 is the best sounding vintage piece I've owned ( I also have or had a 2230, 2015, and 2 1060s).
If you already have a line on a 2250, make sure any leaking caps have been replaced first, otherwise you could spend an additional couple hundred dollars on a recap. Also check that the tuner is properly aligned.
If you're still shopping, the sweet spot for vintage Marantz receivers are the 2245 and 2270. Very similar design, the 2270 has more power, but the 2245 is considered an overbuilt 2270. I can tell you the 2245 does not want for more watts, there's enough juice to drive you out of the room.
In either case avoid the auction site and look on the enthusiast boards (here...although unlikely because evil tone controls, USAM, or AK) or a repair shop that specializes in vintage restoration and sales.
Not having heard the Luxman L3, it could be a lateral move. But, if your L3 is nearing the end of its OEM life and due for a recap, now would be a good time to step into something that has been restored, like the Marantz 2250.
The Marantz units from the mid to latter 70s sound great, are plentiful and relatively easy to work on...there's also a bit of wishful thinking happening on the auction site where estate sale bottom feeders find these units, and list them at ridiculous prices without any knowledge of what they're listing. So the vintage Marantz market is a little skewed.
I own a fully restored Marantz 2245 which had a production run during the time the 2250 was built (1975). The 2245 is the best sounding vintage piece I've owned ( I also have or had a 2230, 2015, and 2 1060s).
If you already have a line on a 2250, make sure any leaking caps have been replaced first, otherwise you could spend an additional couple hundred dollars on a recap. Also check that the tuner is properly aligned.
If you're still shopping, the sweet spot for vintage Marantz receivers are the 2245 and 2270. Very similar design, the 2270 has more power, but the 2245 is considered an overbuilt 2270. I can tell you the 2245 does not want for more watts, there's enough juice to drive you out of the room.
In either case avoid the auction site and look on the enthusiast boards (here...although unlikely because evil tone controls, USAM, or AK) or a repair shop that specializes in vintage restoration and sales.